Public Engagement and Public Hearing Processes

Overview

The City of Centennial recently approved changes to the Land Development Code (LDC) to provide additional engagement opportunities in the land development process when it matters most. These updates allow residents to contribute input, fostering a positive impact on our community. Furthermore, these revisions ensure the land development process remains equitable and transparent for developers, resulting in fairness and predictability throughout.

City Council approved the LDC amendments at the August 20, 2024 meeting and public hearing. View the staff report and ordinance of the amendments on the Meetings and Agendas page. 

Approved Changes

Approved changes to the community meeting process include:

  • Expanded notification to Centennial residents, such as through the city’s website, e-newsletters, and social media, including Nextdoor. 
  • Including both property owners and occupants (tenants/renters) and commercial tenants in the notification list.  
  • Align community meeting requirements to offer more opportunities for neighborhood engagement earlier in the land development process.  
  • Enhance the "Have Your Say" virtual community meeting webpage format or design. 

Approved changes to the LDC’s land use approval process for Site Plans include: 

  • Expanded notification to Centennial residents when a public hearing is scheduled, such as through the city’s website, e-newsletters and social media, including Nextdoor. 
  • Including both property owners and occupants (tenants/renters) and commercial tenants in the notification list
  • Removing the need for site plan ratifications. 
  • Make sure that it makes sense in the land development process whether a public hearing is required.
  • Delegate decisions regarding site plans and sign design programs to the Planning and Zoning Commission or Community Development Director rather multiple presentations to City Council. (NOTE: City Council remains the final policy-making body on land use decisions.) 
  • Streamline the process for the Director to authorize minor site changes without requiring approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council.

Intended Outcomes 

The LDC amendment aims to achieve the following outcomes: 

  • The community can give their opinions about new projects earlier in the process. This will help the projects to incorporate community ideas before final decisions are made. 
  • More flexibility when it comes to making small changes to site plans. This will allow for common improvements to be made more easily and quickly.
  • Some Site Plan public hearings would be delegated to the Planning and Zoning Commission. This would allow City Council to focus on land use policy issues instead of technical details. 
  • There will be fewer steps for getting approval for site plans and sign design programs, making the process more straightforward and less complicated. 
  • NOTE: City Council will remain the City’s ultimate policy-making body, with land use policy recommendations provided by the Planning and Zoning Commission to City Council. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a community meeting?

A community meeting is the first time a developer talks to the neighborhood about a development plan. This meeting happens before the developer submits any land use application materials to the City. Community meetings are required for certain types of projects – not all projects currently require a community meeting. At the meeting, people can look at the plans, ask questions, and give their thoughts. The developer can listen to what the people say and might make changes to the project. Community meetings can be in person or online.

How do community meetings work in Centennial?

Since 2020, Centennial has used a webpage called Have Your Say for community meetings. People who live nearby get a letter or email about the meeting for a new project. They have two weeks to look at the developer’s information online and ask questions or give feedback. City staff and the developer answer questions and comments from residents. After the community meeting, the developer writes a report that summarizes the feedback and questions they received and how those issues have or haven’t been addressed in the land use case application. The previous in-person community meeting would attract 0-10 people on average with little follow-up after the meeting. Now with the Have Your Say webpage, over 100 people might look at the information, much more than previous participation levels.

Will I still get a notification if there is a community meeting about a project near my property?

Yes, if you live within 200 feet of the project or if you are part of a homeowner’s association within ½ mile of the project, you will be notified about the meeting. The City is trying to make the process more consistent so it’s easier to know when there will be a community meeting. The City is also working with neighborhoods to make sure they have enough time to respond to meeting notifications.

What is a public hearing?

A public hearing is held by the Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council on the evening they make a decision about the project. These meetings give people a chance to share their thoughts and ask questions about the project. State law requires public hearings for certain kinds of land use decisions. People who live near the proposed project will get a notice about the public hearing.

Can I still speak at a public hearing?

Yes, the City will still have public hearings for land use cases such as rezonings, variances, conditional uses and some (but not all) site plans. Anyone can speak at a public hearing, not just residents who get a notice from the City.

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